Senate Bill 2530 Summary

• Requires deer-breeding farm owners to obtain a license from the State Veterinarian and establishes licensing requirements including submission of farm location, size, operational plans, and number of deer to be raised.

• Authorizes the State Veterinarian to regulate deer-breeding farms, establish fencing and inspection requirements, and mandate participation in chronic wasting disease prevention programs.

• Allows importation of farm-raised white-tailed deer, semen, ova, and embryos only from herds certified free of chronic wasting disease for at least five years and from states with no history of the disease.

• Requires all farm-raised white-tailed deer to be identified by electronic implant before leaving the farm and prohibits release of farm-raised deer into the wild without written permission from both the State Veterinarian and Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

• Establishes penalties for violations including civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, misdemeanor charges up to $1,000 fine and six months imprisonment, and felony charges up to $25,000 fine and five years imprisonment for violations posing public safety or wildlife health threats.